It only took a 37th minute penalty from out-half Ian Kelly to boot Mount Temple into the Leinster Schools Section A Senior Cup final at King's Hospital yesterday.
There was much to admire in the application of both sides. The low score had more to do with brave and organised defence than any lack of ambition from either side.
Matthew Ethell of Wilson's had two opportunities to see them to the break in front. But his penalty attempts went awry on a difficult day for place kickers. So too did Kelly's first kick at the sticks.
The second found its mark, however, after Wilson's right wing Tom Hargroves tackled full back Shane Finnegan late. The ball was brought forward 25 metres and Kelly's tentative shot sneaked inside the left upright.
Mount Temple: S Finnegan; A Loggin, D Quirke, D Moore, C Scott-Keogh; I Kelly, R Maybury; J Kennedy, M Finglas, N Leonard, T O'Mahony, D Malone, G Kelly, J Fitzachary, D Ffrench. Replacements: S Miller for Loggin 54 mins; J Gavin for Scott-Keogh temp.
Wilson's Hospital: A Finnan; K Newton, R Lyndsay, C Finlay, T Hargroves; M Ethell, D Ince; J Costello, P O'Donnell, A Rizzini, T Synnott, R Rothwell, R Powell, H Hargroves, K Rafter-McGovern.
